The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1887-09-10
A WAR STORY.
strange Events in she N.lFe Ofa
SOuthern Girl.
An EdgeaeId, S. O., correspondent

v
Myron, tho principal figure in the
drama, is a personal friend of your
correspondent, and fropN her the fol,
lowing facts have been obtained, with
permission for their publication;
Hayne Myrop, the father Of this
young lady, was a planter in South
Carolina. His home was typical
Southern home, spacious and hospita-
Bile, surrounded by broad acres and
faithful slaves, His family consisted
Of his wife and Rhett, who was then
q little child and the idol Of her father,
as we'll as the pet of the plantation,
At the breaking ont of the war, IN the
fall of 1891 Haype Myron joined a
volunteer South Carolina regiment.
Before leaving home he had a pic
ture Of his little girl painted in nina
turs and ineased il in locket that be
placed next to his heart, saying; "My
darling, this will be papa's shield when
be is 10 danger, and hissunshine when
be rests" and with eyes filed with
tears, he smotheEad the face and sunny
head of his child with farewell kisses
and hurried away from bis peaceful
home out TO the world of danger Siz
months later, in a skirmish In Virginia,
Hayne MyTon was killed in close com
bat with a federal officer, Only a few
words were sent TO the old home ia
tell the sad story.
During Gen. sherman's invasion
into South Carolina the Myron home
stead was destroyed. The widow and
daughter continued to live on the
plantation in an out-building, sup.
ported by the rents from the lands
Two years ago Mrs, MyFon died, and
through the Influence Of friends Miss
Myron obtained a position as govern
ess IN the family Of Col. W, +, Smith
of New York, she stated TO me that
her first meeting with Col. Smith Raf
peculiar. That when bis wife intro
dneed her to him saying, "This is ouI
new govreness from South Carolina
Miss Rhett MyFon," his face became
deathIy white, and he gave sudder
start, (Ha was absent from hons
when Mrs. Smith engaged her,) Hf
mechanically shook hands with he
and tried to speak, but his lips seemed
sealed. But later his manner changed
to kindness and cordially and she wa
treated more as an honoTed guest thar
salaried teacher. He assisted oI
paying her four times the smount sht
charged for her services, and made be
duties light. One evening she wa
sitting ia the family circle telling q
her past life down in South Carolina
of ths spacious house with its tWentI
columns, Of the dusky slaves, Wht
used to ST her on their shoulders, call
ing her their "little queen" as the
carried her through The cotton field
that looked like seas Of snow foam
Eor the first time she spoke of her faith
er, how handsome and sad he looked .
be went away on that dreadful las
day how be took her picture viii
him, and told all be said. She state
that she was forced 70 stop IN th
| midst Of her words, for Gol. smitI
turned ghastly pale and leftthe room
It all seemed strange 70 me then, sh'
said, but the meaning is plain nov
Miss Myron continued TO live Wit
Col Smiths family for two years, Il
was haven and home % me- sh
said. ~ had 50 long toiled on on
plantation, isolated from society anl
| all advantages, it was like Q fairy IL
had opened TO me of ease and luxury
but py heart was almost breaking Z
| remembered al that ! had lost ]
those sad sEeet days.
Six weeks ago Col. Smith was take
suddenly III, and when be realized tha
death was inevitable be expressed
desire to see Miss Myrop alone. Sh
states that AZ she neared the bed 8
the dying man she saw him holdin
conynlsigely in one hand as be e.
tended the other % her and ezelamee
HRhett Myrop, forgive me before
| die, without yopF pardon | cannot o.
come close and listen to what ! hay
10 tell you. u was | Who made go
( 40 orphan, my bands are red wit
your fathers blood. Take this
said, banding me the package
found il on Bis dying breast. =
your face your panae and hls nan
are upon II. Take II and forgive N
who bas tried to expatiatc the wroni
done yog. Oh ! can yon forgive
DYING man ~ and the voice beeap
faint and low. sob sir yop be-
were soldiers (; / freely forgive aT
The poor girl could BAY M mere,
pbe fell uncopcious upon the hoe
"Ehapk Cod he mqrmured apd
was oyer.
When Rhett Myron recovered, Z
nan who killed Der father, and "
, was later the best FREUD sbe ey
knew, wac dead, II his VIII be /
queathed 70 ben The generous snm
$4,000. ne also left letter glyll
alI the particulags Of her fathers aeai
Only 3 lew days ago Isaw the pietT
4 "a sweet child face, ID Ar azure elol
4 ana on ihe little plush casc VI
Y marks of blood. THIS u certainly
l most Eemarlzable incident u has 2
= been my privilege % record.
q 81 Marsinyille Messenger a